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I used to enjoy doing Tai Chi before having a total hip replacement. Now I'm not sure it's safe to stand on one leg like that. What do you think?

You should get clearance from your doctor before taking up Tai Chi again. Weight-bearing and standing balance exercises are usually permitted. You can add these activities once the tissues are healed and standing on one leg doesn't hurt.

This may take about four to six months after the operation. Researchers at the Texas Women's University report exercises balanced on one leg with slow motion movements like Tai Chi works very well. They advise doing this later in the rehab program for total hip replacements.

Patients report less pain, more motion, and better function after doing this kind of exercise program.

Reference: 

Elaine Trudelle-Jackson, PT, PhD, and Susan S. Smith, PT, PhD. Effects of a Late-Phase Exercise Program after Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial. In Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. July 2004. Vol. 85. No. 7. Pp. 1056-1062.


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